Cabinet Levelling Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for adjusting a height adjustable leg for supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure is described. The apparatus includes a coupling comprising a driven member or feature. The coupling forms part of a height adjustable leg. The apparatus also includes a tool comprising a driving member and a torque input for applying torque to the driving member. The tool and the coupling are complementarily adapted to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the driven member or feature to allow the driving member to drive the driven member or feature to rotate the coupling about a longitudinal axis of the leg for height adjustment of the leg. The driving member and the driven member are gears that releasably mesh together when the tool is engaged with the coupling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a heightadjustable leg for leveling or adjusting the height of cabinetry such askitchen, bathroom or laundry cabinetry, or an appliance, or any otherobject that requires height or leveling adjustment. The presentinvention also relates to a coupling for forming part of a heightadjustable leg, and a tool for adjusting the height of a heightadjustable leg via such a coupling.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Height adjustable legs that are used to support cabinets, appliances,furniture or the like are known. They typically comprise a verticallyextending threaded shaft received in a corresponding threaded socketfixed to an appliance or cabinet to be height adjusted or levelled. Thesocket is fixed to the object, so that rotation of the shaft causes afoot of the leg to move axially relative to the socket to set the heightof the object supported by the foot. To rotate or turn the threadedshaft in the corresponding threaded socket, the foot may comprise anengagement feature such as a hexagonal or square profile to which alaterally extending tool such as a spanner may engage. Alternatively thefoot may be rotated by hand by a user.

A tool used for adjusting the height of the leg may engage the foot froma lateral direction. A tool such as a spanner when engaged with the footextends laterally from the foot to provide a moment arm for turning thefoot. A user adjusts the height of the leg by moving the handle of thetool through an arc about or around the foot. Movement of the handle ofthe tool around the foot can be impeded by adjacent feet, equipment,walls, or cabinetry positioned beside the object being height adjusted,or the object itself, such that the foot may be adjusted only through aseries of repeated short arc lengths. Height adjustment of a leg mayhence require a user to disengage and re-engage the tool and foot manytimes to turn the foot through a sufficient amount of angular movementwithin a limited arc length or angle of rotation. This can be timeconsuming and alignment may not be easy to achieve each time the tool isto be re-engaged. Alignment vertically, tangentially and radially isnecessary in order to re engage.

Adjustment of a foot located at the rear of a cabinet or appliance maybe difficult, as an extra long tool handle may be required to reach theback feet from the front of the cabinet, such that the adjustment arcfor the tool handle to operate in is further limited. Additionally,alignment between the jaw of the tool and the corresponding engagementfeature on a rear foot can be difficult due to the difficulty in viewingand/or reaching the rear feet of a cabinet. A user may be required tolie down on a floor surface to view the rear feet in order to properlyengage an adjustment tool to the foot for height adjustment.

Tools such as standard spanners or screw drivers typically used toadjust height adjustable legs are not designed specifically for thepurpose of adjusting a height adjustable leg. The use of non-specifictools or adjusting a leg by hand can present health and safety issuesfor the user.

In an alternative height adjustable leg, the threaded shaft of the legmay be received in a threaded collar or sprocket that is fixed in heightrelative to the object to be levelled, but free to rotate. Rotation ofthe threaded shaft of the foot is prevented, for example by a flatsection or sections on the threaded shaft received in a correspondingsocket fixed to the object to be height adjusted. Rotation of the collarcauses the shaft to move axially relative to the collar to set theheight of the object supported by the foot. The collar may comprise anengagement feature such as a hexagonal or square profile to which alaterally extending tool such as a spanner may engage. Adjustment of afoot threaded shaft and collar arrangement may have similar problems forheight adjustment as described above; limited adjustment arc length anddifficulty in aligning the tool and the collar for adjustment.

An adjustable foot for an appliance is described in U.S. Pat. No.7,556,227 (Miele). The appliance is fitted with a rod and pinion. Thepinion engages with a sprocket so that rotation of the rod rotates thesprocket to adjust the height of the foot. The rod is supported by theappliance to be held in engagement with the sprocket and extends to thefront of the appliance. Adjustment of the rear feet of the appliance canbe made using a standard screw driver from the front of the appliance.The appliance is fitted with a pinion and rod for each rear foot so thateach rear foot can be adjusted from the front of the appliance. Thismechanism may be complex to install within the appliance. Each foot hasan associated pinion and driving mechanism which effectively becomeredundant once the height is set. The front feet are adjusted by astandard screw driver inserted in a vertical slot of the foot. The screwdriver is moved through an arc length and may be engaged and disengagedwith a front foot a number of times to complete height adjustment of thefront of the appliance.

A tool for adjusting a foot or leg of an appliance is described inJP1997-206147 (Takigen). The tool includes a ratchet mechanismcomprising a ratchet lever or pawl for engaging a ratchet gear on theshaft. With the lever engaged with the gear, the tool is used to adjustthe foot by moving the handle of the tool through an arc about or aroundthe foot to rotate the foot, in much the same way in which a standardspanner is used to adjust a foot. The ratchet lever engages the gear inone direction of rotation, and disengages from the gear in the oppositedirection of rotation, to allow the tool handle to be moved back andforth in a defined arc length around the foot to adjust the height ofthe leg in one direction. To change the direction of adjustment (forexample from upwards to downwards) it is necessary to switch the leverarm of the ratchet mechanism between two positions.

JP2008-213058 (Takigen) describes a similar foot to JP1997-206147 butincludes a horizontally pivoting tool head to allow the tool to engagewith a foot around obstacles. The pivoting head reduces the arc lengthin which the handle must be moved to crank the foot for heightadjustment. Like the tool of JP1997-206147, to change the direction ofadjustment (for example from upwards to downwards) it is necessary toswitch the lever arm of the ratchet mechanism between two positions.

In this specification where reference has been made to patentspecifications, other external documents, or other sources ofinformation, this is generally for the purpose of providing a contextfor discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically statedotherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construedas an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, inany jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common generalknowledge in the art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus for adjusting a height adjustable leg, or an improved tool foradjusting a height adjustable leg, or an improved coupling adapted to beattached to or engaged with a height adjustable leg for interfacing witha tool for adjusting the leg, or to at least provide the industry with auseful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention consists in an apparatus foradjusting a height adjustable leg for supporting a cabinet, appliance orstructure comprising:

-   -   a coupling for forming part of a height adjustable leg, the        coupling comprising a driven member or feature, and    -   a tool comprising a driving member and a torque input for        applying torque to the driving member,    -   the tool and the coupling complementarily adapted to releasably        maintain engagement between the driving member and the driven        member or feature to allow the driving member to drive the        driven member or feature to rotate the coupling about a        longitudinal axis of the leg for height adjustment of the leg,        and    -   wherein the driving member and the driven member are gears that        releasably mesh together when the tool is engaged with the        coupling.

In some embodiments the tool and coupling are complementarily adapted sothat the tool can engage the coupling laterally from any angulardirection relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg.

In some embodiments the torque input or the torque input and the drivingmember each rotates about a lateral axis relative to a longitudinal axisof the leg when driving the driven member or feature.

In some embodiments the lateral axis is substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the leg.

In some embodiments the torque input rotates on a lateral axis that isat an angle to the longitudinal axis of the leg, so that with the toolengaged with the coupling the torque input is elevated above a floorsurface or other surface on which the leg is to be positioned whensupporting the cabinet, appliance or structure.

In some embodiments the lateral axis is at an angle of 77.5 to 90degrees, or 85 to 90 degrees, or 86 to 88 degrees, or 87 to 88 degreesor about 87.5 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the leg.

In some embodiments the driving member has a rotational axis able toarticulate from a rotational axis of the torque input.

In some embodiments the driving member and the torque input are fixedtogether to both rotate on the lateral axis.

In some embodiments the driving member is a pinion. In some embodimentsthe driven member or feature comprises a rotary rack.

In some embodiments the torque input comprises a handle coupled to thedriving member, with the driving member engaged to the driven member orfeature, rotation of the handle about an axis of the handle independentof a longitudinal axis of the leg rotating the driven member or featurefor height adjustment of the leg.

In some embodiments the handle has engagement features for engaging witha handle extension.

In some embodiments the engagement features are a plurality oflongitudinal slots or ribs on the outside surface of the handle.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to remain in a stationaryangular position relative to the leg when the driving member drives thedriven member or feature.

In some embodiments the tool and coupling are adapted to remaincontinuously engaged when the driving member drives the driven member orfeature to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the leg in bothdirections so that the direction of height adjustment of the heightadjustable leg can be reversed without removing the tool from thecoupling.

In some embodiments, with the tool engaged with the coupling the drivingmember and the driven member are adapted to remain engaged forcontinuously adjusting the height of the height adjustable leg in atleast one direction.

In some embodiments with the tool engaged with the coupling the drivingmember and the driven member are adapted to remain continuously engagedfor adjusting the height of the height adjustable leg in bothdirections.

In some embodiments the tool and the coupling are complementarilyadapted so that the tool is secured relative to the coupling in an axialdirection and a lateral direction when engaged with the coupling.

In some embodiments the tool and the coupling are complementarilyadapted so that the tool is secured to the coupling in both axialdirections when engaged with the coupling.

In some embodiments the coupling is a foot comprising the driven memberor feature and a threaded socket or a threaded shaft for engaging acorresponding threaded shaft or socket to form the height adjustableleg.

In some embodiments the driven member is integrally formed with thethreaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the driven member is attached to the threaded socketor the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the driven member is releasably attached to thethreaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to be attached to a threadedsocket or a threaded shaft for engaging a corresponding threaded shaftor socket to form the height adjustable leg.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to be releasably attached tothe threaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature remains at a fixedheight relative to a floor surface or other surface on which the leg isto be positioned when vertically supporting the cabinet, appliance orstructure.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a guide or positioning feature orfeatures for setting the driving member at a height relative to thefloor surface or other surface so that the driving member is positionedaxially relative to the coupling for engagement with the driven member,the height of the driven member and height of the driving member bothbeing referenced from the floor surface or other surface.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to threadably engage athreaded shaft of the leg rotationally fixed to the cabinet, applianceor structure, and the coupling supporting the cabinet, appliance orstructure on the shaft, rotation of the coupling on the shaft moving thecabinet, appliance or structure along the shaft for height adjustment.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a lateral extension for capturingor bearing against a lateral facing surface of the coupling toreleasably retain the tool to the coupling in a lateral direction.

In some embodiments the tool comprises two lateral extensions forming ajaw for capturing a diameter of the coupling to releasably retain thetool to the coupling in a lateral direction to releasably maintainengagement between the driving member and the driven member or featurewhen the driving member drives the driven member for height adjustmentof the leg.

In some embodiments the jaw extends around a diameter of the coupling bymore than 180 degrees.

In some embodiments the tool comprises an axial facing bearing surfaceand the coupling comprises a corresponding axial facing bearing surface,contact between the tool and coupling axial facing bearing surfacesreleasably retaining the tool to the coupling in an axial direction toreleasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the drivenmember or feature.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a ramp surface to bear againstthe axial facing surface of the coupling when aligning the tool to thecoupling in use to position the tool to the coupling axially.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a flange for bearing against abackside of the driven member, the flange providing the axial facingbearing surface of the tool and the backside of the driven member beingthe axial facing bearing surface of the coupling.

In some embodiments the flange contacts the back side of the drivenmember with the tool engaged with the coupling at least at an angularposition at which the driving member engages the driven member.

In some embodiments the flange contacts the back side of the drivenmember with the tool engaged with the coupling at a perimeter portion ofthe back side of the driven member.

In some embodiments the flange captures a diameter of the coupling toreleasably retain the tool to the coupling in a lateral direction toreleasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the drivenmember or feature.

In some embodiments the flange contacts around the back side of thedriven member over an angular distance of 180 degrees or more.

In some embodiments with the tool engaged with the coupling the drivenmember is captured between the driving member and the axial facingbearing surface of the tool.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a first axial facing bearingsurface and a second opposite axial facing bearing surface and thecoupling comprises two corresponding axial facing bearing surfaces toalign the tool to the coupling.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surfaces of the couplingform sides of a slot or channel extending circumferentially around thecoupling and the tool comprises a lateral extension that engages theslot or channel, axial sides of the lateral extension providing theaxial facing bearing surfaces of the tool.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature is a rotary rackforming one side of the slot or channel, teeth of the driven member orfeature providing a discontinuous said axial facing bearing surface, andwith the tool engaged with the coupling the driving member beingreceived in the slot or channel to engage the driving member or feature.

In some embodiments the first and second axial facing bearing surfacesof the tool form sides of a slot or channel and the coupling comprises aflange that engages the slot or channel, axial sides of the flangeproviding the axial facing bearing surfaces of the coupling to align thetool to the coupling.

In some embodiments the first and second axial facing bearing surfaceseach comprise a ramp surface at an opening of the slot to provideconverging surfaces extending into the slot to assist with aligning thetool to the coupling.

In some embodiments the first and second axial facing bearing surfacesof the tool form sides of a slot or channel in the tool and the drivenmember is a rotary rack, the rotary rack adapted to engage the slot orchannel in the tool, teeth of the rotary rack providing a discontinuoussaid axial facing bearing surface and a back side of the rotary rackproviding the other said axial facing bearing surface.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature is a rotary rack facingupwards and the driving member is a pinion, and the thread of the shaftor the socket is a right hand thread so that rotation of the pinion in aclockwise direction about a lateral axis rotates the threaded shaft toincrease the height of the cabinet, appliance or structure.

In some embodiments the torque input comprises an interface forconnecting an additional tool for applying torque to the driving member.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a spacer adapted to beremovably attached to a base of the coupling to set a height of thedriven member relative to a floor surface or other surface.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a coupling forforming part of a height adjustable leg for supporting a cabinet,appliance or structure, the coupling comprising:

-   -   a driven member or feature, and    -   the coupling adapted to releasably maintain engagement with a        tool comprising a driving member to allow the driving member to        drive the driven member or feature to rotate the coupling about        a longitudinal axis of the leg for height adjustment of the leg,        and    -   wherein the driven member or feature is a gear adapted to        releasably mesh with the driving member of the tool.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to receive the toollaterally from any angular direction relative to the longitudinal axisof the leg.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature comprises a rotaryrack.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to be driven by the toolwith the tool held in a stationary angular position relative to the legwhen the driving member drives the driven member or feature.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to be driven by the toolwith the tool continuously engaged with the coupling when the drivingmember drives the driven member or feature to rotate about thelongitudinal axis of the leg in both directions so that the direction ofheight adjustment of the height adjustable leg can be reversed withoutremoving the tool from the coupling.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to secure the tool relativeto the coupling in an axial direction and a lateral direction.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to secure the tool to thecoupling in both axial directions.

In some embodiments the coupling is a foot comprising the driven memberor feature and a threaded socket or a threaded shaft for engaging acorresponding threaded shaft or socket to form the height adjustableleg.

In some embodiments the driven member is integrally formed with thethreaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the driven member is attached to the threaded socketor the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the driven member is releasably attached to thethreaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to be attached to a threadedsocket or a threaded shaft for engaging a corresponding threaded shaftor socket to form the height adjustable leg.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to be releasably attached tothe threaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature remains at a fixedheight relative to a floor surface or other surface on which the leg isto be positioned when supporting the weight of the cabinet, appliance orstructure.

In some embodiments the coupling is adapted to threadably engage athreaded shaft of the leg rotationally fixed to the cabinet, applianceor structure, and the coupling supporting the cabinet, appliance orstructure on the shaft, rotation of the coupling on the shaft moving thecabinet, appliance or structure along the shaft for height adjustment.

In some embodiments the coupling comprises an axial facing bearingsurface to interface with a corresponding axial facing bearing surfaceon the tool so that contact between the tool and coupling axial facingbearing surfaces releasably retains the tool to the coupling in an axialdirection to releasably maintain engagement between the driving memberand the driven member or feature.

In some embodiments the driven member is a rotary rack and a back sideof the rotary rack comprises the axial facing bearing surface of thecoupling.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surface is at an angle of 0to 12.5 degrees, where 0 degrees is perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the coupling.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surface is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coupling.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surface is at a perimeterportion of the back side of the rack.

In some embodiments an inner portion of the back side of the rack isinclined.

In some embodiments the driven member is a rotary rack and a back sideof the rotary rack comprises an inclined surface so that the thicknessof the rotary rack at the perimeter of the rotary rack is less than thethickness of the rotary rack at an inner diameter of the rotary rack.

In some embodiments the coupling comprises a first axial facing bearingsurface and a second opposite axial facing bearing surface to interfacewith two corresponding axial facing bearing surfaces of the tool so thatcontact between the tool and coupling axial facing bearing surfacesreleasably retains the tool to the coupling in an axial direction toreleasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the drivenmember or feature.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surfaces of the couplingform sides of a slot or channel extending circumferentially around thecoupling for receiving a lateral extension of the tool.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature is a rotary rackforming one side of the slot or channel, teeth of the driven member orfeature providing a discontinuous said axial facing bearing surface.

In some embodiments the coupling comprises a lateral flange for engaginga slot or channel in the tool, axial sides of the flange providing theaxial facing bearing surfaces of the coupling.

In some embodiments the driving member is a rotary rack, the rotary rackadapted to engage a slot or channel in the tool, teeth of the rotaryrack providing a discontinuous said axial facing bearing surface and aback side of the driven member providing the other said second axialfacing bearing surface.

In some embodiments the rotary rack comprises 40 to 200 teeth.

In some embodiments each tooth comprises a flat portion at a tip of thetooth, the flat portions of the teeth combining to form thediscontinuous axial facing bearing surface.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature is a rotary rack facingupwards and the thread of the shaft or the socket is a right handthread.

In some embodiments the coupling includes a spacer adapted to beremovably attached to a base of the coupling to set a height of thedriven member relative to a floor surface or other surface.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a coupling forforming part of a height adjustable leg for supporting a cabinet,appliance or structure, the coupling comprising:

-   -   a rotationally drivable member to rotate about an axis and        presenting radial gear teeth that face in one direction of said        axis and presenting a bearing surface that faces in the opposite        direction of said axis.

In some embodiments the drivable member is engageable by a tool thatincludes a gear to engage with said radial gear teeth of said drivablemember and a bearing member to locate against said bearing surface tohold said gear and gear teeth in engagement in the axial direction.

In some embodiments the bearing surface is at an angle of 0 to 12.5degrees, where 0 degrees is perpendicular to the axis.

In some embodiments the coupling includes a shaft or socket coaxial saidaxis and coupled or formed with the drivable member.

In some embodiments the shaft or socket is a threaded shaft or socket.

In some embodiments the diameter of the shaft or socket is greater than15 mm.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a height adjustableleg for supporting an cabinet, appliance or structure comprising acoupling as described by any one or more of the above statementsrelating to a said coupling.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a cabinet,appliance or structure comprising a leg or more than one leg, the legcomprising a coupling as described by any one or more of the abovestatements relating to a said coupling.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a tool for drivinga height adjustable leg supporting a cabinet, appliance or structurecomprising:

-   -   a driving member and a torque input for applying torque to the        driving member, the tool adapted to releasably maintain        engagement with a coupling of the height adjustable leg        comprising a driven member or feature to allow the driving        member to drive the driven member or feature to adjust the        height of the cabinet, appliance or structure, and    -   wherein the driving member is a gear adapted to releasably mesh        with the driven member of the coupling.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to engage the coupling laterallyfrom any angular direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg.

In some embodiments the torque input or the torque input and the drivingmember each rotates about a lateral axis relative to a rotational axisof the leg when driving the driven member or feature.

In some embodiments the lateral axis is substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the leg.

In some embodiments the torque input rotates on a lateral axis that isat an angle to the longitudinal axis of the leg, so that with the toolengaged with the coupling the torque input is elevated above a floorsurface or other surface on which the leg is to be positioned whensupporting the cabinet, appliance or structure.

In some embodiments the lateral axis is at an angle of 77.5 to 90degrees, or 85 to 90 degrees, or 86 to 88 degrees, or 87 to 88 degreesor about 87.5 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the leg.

In some embodiments the driving member has a rotational axis able toarticulate from a rotational axis of the torque input.

In some embodiments the driving member and the torque input are fixedtogether to rotate only on the lateral axis.

In some embodiments the driving member is a pinion.

In some embodiments the torque input comprises a handle coupled to thedriving member for rotating the driving member, in use the handlecomprising a rotational axis independent of a rotational axis of thecoupling.

In some embodiments the handle has engagement features for engaging witha handle extension.

In some embodiments the engagement features are a plurality oflongitudinal slots or ribs on the outside surface of the handle.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to remain in a stationaryangular position relative to the leg when the driving member drives thedriven member or feature.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to remain continuously engagedwith the coupling when the driving member drives the driven member orfeature to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the leg in bothdirections so that the direction of height adjustment of the heightadjustable leg can be reversed without removing the tool from thecoupling.

In some embodiments with the tool engaged with the coupling the drivingmember is adapted to remain continuously engaged with the driven memberfor adjusting the height of the height adjustable leg in bothdirections.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to be secured relative to thecoupling in an axial direction and a lateral direction when engaged withthe coupling.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to be secured to the coupling inboth axial directions.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a guide or positioning feature orfeatures for setting the driving member at a height relative to a floorsurface or other surface supporting the leg.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a lateral extension for capturingor bearing against a lateral facing surface of the coupling toreleasably retain the tool to the coupling in a lateral direction.

In some embodiments the tool comprises two lateral extensions forming ajaw for capturing a diameter of the coupling to releasably retain thetool to the coupling in a lateral direction to releasably maintainengagement between the driving member and the driven member or feature.

In some embodiments the jaw extends around a diameter of the coupling bymore than 180 degrees.

In some embodiments the tool comprises an axial facing bearing surfaceto interface with a corresponding axial facing bearing surface on thecoupling so that contact between the tool and coupling axial facingbearing surfaces releasably retains the tool to the coupling in an axialdirection to releasably maintain engagement between the driving memberand the driven member or feature.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a flange for bearing against abackside of the driven member, the flange providing the axial facingbearing surface of the tool and the backside of the driven member beingthe axial facing bearing surface of the coupling.

In some embodiments the flange contacts the back side of the drivenmember with the tool engaged with the coupling at least at an angularposition at which the driving member engages the driven member.

In some embodiments the flange contacts the back side of the drivenmember with the tool engaged with the coupling at a perimeter portion ofthe back side of the driven member.

In some embodiments the flange captures a diameter of the coupling toreleasably retain the tool to the coupling in a lateral direction toreleasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the drivenmember or feature.

In some embodiments the flange contacts around the back side of thedriven member over an angular distance of 180 degrees or more.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surface is at an angle of 0to 12.5 degrees, where 0 degrees is perpendicular to the coupling whenengaged with the tool.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surface is substantiallyperpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the coupling when engaged withthe coupling.

In some embodiments the axial facing bearing surface is adapted tocontact the coupling at a perimeter portion of the back side of thedriven member.

In some embodiments the driving member is a pinion and an axial gapbetween the flange and the pinion converges from a forward end of thepinion towards a rearward end of the driving member.

In some embodiments the flange comprises a ramped surface for receivingthe driven member between the pinion and the flange to align the drivenmember to the driving member.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a first axial facing bearingsurface and a second opposite axial facing bearing surface to interfacewith two corresponding axial facing bearing surfaces of the coupling toalign the tool to the coupling.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a lateral extension adapted toengage a slot or channel in the coupling and axial sides of the lateralextension providing the axial facing bearing surfaces of the tool.

In some embodiments the first and second axial facing bearing surfacesof the tool form sides of a slot or channel in the tool for receiving aflange of the coupling or the driven member of the coupling, sides ofthe slot or channel adapted to bear against axial sides of the flange orthe driven member to align the tool to the coupling.

In some embodiments the first and second axial facing bearing surfaceseach comprise a ramp surface at an opening of the slot to provideconverging surfaces extending into the slot to assist with aligning thetool to the coupling.

In some embodiments the torque input comprises an interface forconnecting an additional tool for applying torque to the driving member.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in an adjustable propfor supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure carrying a threadedcomponent, and a tool for adjusting the prop relative to the cabinet,appliance or structure,

-   -   the prop comprising:        -   a threaded shaft to threadably engage to the threaded            component, relative rotation between the shaft and the            threaded component moving the shaft axially relative to the            threaded component, and        -   a driven member or feature on the threaded shaft or the            threaded component,    -   the tool comprising a driving member and a torque input for        applying torque to the driving member,    -   the tool and the prop complementarily adapted to releasably        maintain engagement between the driving member and the driven        member or feature to allow the driving member to drive the        driven member or feature to rotate the shaft or the threaded        component to move the shaft axially relative to the threaded        component, and    -   wherein the driving member and the driven member are gears that        releasably mesh together when the tool is engaged with the prop.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in an adjustable propfor supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure carrying a threadedcomponent comprising:

-   -   a threaded shaft to threadably engage to the threaded component,        relative rotation between the shaft and the threaded component        moving the shaft axially relative to the threaded component,    -   a driven member or feature on the threaded shaft or the threaded        component, and    -   the prop adapted to releasably maintain engagement with a tool        comprising a driving member to allow the driving member to drive        the driven member or feature to rotate the shaft or the threaded        component to move the shaft axially relative to the threaded        component, and    -   wherein the driven member or feature is a gear adapted to        releasably mesh with the driving member of the tool.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a tool for drivingan adjustable prop for supporting a cabinet, appliance or structurecarrying a threaded component comprising:

-   -   a driving member and a torque input for applying torque to the        driving member, the tool adapted to releasably maintain        engagement with the adjustable prop comprising a driven member        or feature to allow the driving member to drive the driven        member or feature to adjust the position of the prop relative to        the threaded component, and    -   wherein the driving member is a gear adapted to releasably mesh        with the driven member or feature of the prop.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a cabinet,appliance or structure to be supported by a floor, said cabinet,appliance or structure comprising:

-   -   a base carrying a plurality of threaded components with each a        plurality of height adjustable feet are associated, each one of        said feet comprising:    -   a threaded shaft threadably engaged to a corresponding threaded        component, relative rotation between the shaft and the threaded        component moving the shaft axially relative to the threaded        component for height adjustment,    -   a driven member or feature on the threaded shaft or the threaded        component,    -   where each of the feet is adapted to releasably maintain        engagement with a tool comprising a driving member to allow the        driving member to drive the driven member or feature to rotate        the shaft or the threaded component to move the shaft axially        relative to the threaded component, and    -   wherein the driven member or feature is a gear adapted to        releasably mesh with the driving member of the tool.

In another aspect, the present invention consists in a tool for drivingeach of said height adjustable feet of the cabinet, appliance orstructure of the previous statement, the tool able to reach each of saidfeet and become associated therewith, the tool comprising a drivingmember and a torque input for applying torque to the driving member, thetool adapted to releasably maintain engagement with said heightadjustable foot to allow the driving member to drive the driven memberor feature to adjust the height of the cabinet, appliance or structure,wherein the driving member is a gear adapted to releasably mesh with thedriven member of a said foot.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to displace relative the floorto reach each of said feet to engage with said driven member and drivesaid driven member without needing to rotate about a longitudinal axisof the foot.

In some embodiments the tool is adapted to slide along the floor toreach and be aligned with each of said feet to engage with said drivenmember and drive said driven member without needing to slide relativethe floor or rotate about a longitudinal axis of the foot.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means“consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement inthis specification that includes the term “comprising”, features otherthan that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Relatedterms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in thesame manner.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singularforms of the noun.

As used herein the term “floor” or the phrase “floor surface” should beinterpreted to mean any surface which supports the foot being describedor claimed.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts,elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification ofthe application, individually or collectively, and any or allcombinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, andwhere specific integers are mentioned herein which have knownequivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such knownequivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually setforth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a foot and a tool for adjusting thefoot to adjust the height of an object supported by the foot. In use thefoot is received in a threaded socket attached to the object.

FIG. 1B is a close up view of part of the tool and the foot of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the foot illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foot and the corresponding tool ofFIG. 1A with the tool engaged with the foot.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the foot and tool of FIG. 1A with the toolengaged with the foot.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the foot and tool of FIG. 1A with the toolengaged with the foot, and with a handle of the tool articulated to araised position.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the foot and tool of FIG. 1A with the toolengaged with the foot.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 1A on a driving member end ofthe tool.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 1A on a handle end of the toolwith the tool engaged with the foot.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the tool of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 1A on alongitudinal centre line (A-A in FIG. 9) of the tool.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the foot of FIG. 1A and an alternativetool for adjusting the foot to adjust the height of an object supportedby the foot.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative foot and the tool ofFIG. 1A for adjusting the foot to adjust the height of an objectsupported by the foot.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a foot and a tool according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the foot illustrated in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the foot and the tool of FIG. 13A withthe tool engaged with the foot.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the foot and the tool of FIG. 13A with thetool engaged with the foot.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the foot and the tool of FIG. 13A with the toolengaged with the foot.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the foot and the tool of FIG. 13A with thetool engaged with the foot.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the tool of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 13A on alongitudinal centre line of the tool.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the tool of FIG. 13A on a driving member endof the tool.

FIG. 21 is an end view of the foot and tool of FIG. 13A with the toolengaged with the foot.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the foot illustrated in FIG. 13B and with aspacer shown spaced from the base of the foot.

FIG. 23 is an end view of the foot and tool of FIG. 13A with the toolengaged with the foot and with the spacer shown in FIG. 22 attached tothe base of the foot.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the foot and the tool of FIG. 13A with thetool engaged with the foot and with the spacer shown in FIG. 22 attachedto the base of the foot.

FIG. 25A is a part sectional plan view of a tool according to anotherembodiment of the present invention shown engaged with a heightadjustable leg.

FIG. 25B is a part side view of the tool of FIG. 25A shown engaged witha height adjustable leg.

FIG. 25C is a part sectional side view of the tool of FIG. 25A shownengaged with a height adjustable leg.

FIG. 25D is a part cross sectional view of a handle extension fitted toa handle of the tool of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25E is a perspective view of the tool from FIG. 25A.

FIG. 26A is a cross sectional view of an alternative foot and portion ofa tool, with the tool engaged with the foot, the cross section being ona longitudinal centre line of the tool and the foot.

FIG. 26B is a cross sectional view of the foot and tool of FIG. 26A, thecross section being on a longitudinal centre line of the foot andlateral to the tool.

FIG. 26C shows the cross section of the tool of FIG. 26A with the footremoved.

FIG. 26D is a side view of the foot of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 26E is a bottom view of the foot of FIG. 26A

FIG. 27A and 27B illustrate a plan and side view of a cabinetinstallation in which access to rear legs of the cabinet is limited byan obstruction beneath the cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of a foot and/or a tool for adjusting the foot aredescribed with reference to the Figures. The same reference numerals areused throughout to designate the same or similar components in variousembodiments described.

FIGS. 1A to 10 illustrate a height adjustable foot or prop and a toolfor adjusting the foot or prop according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. The foot or prop is referred to herein as a foot forheight adjustment of a cabinet, appliance or structure or other object.A person skilled in the art will understand the foot or prop could alsobe used for sideways support of an object, for example supporting acabinet from a vertical wall. In some embodiments the foot 10 comprisesa threaded shaft 11. In use the threaded shaft is received in a threadedsocket 5 or component (for example a nut) fixed to a cabinet, applianceor structure (herein an object) or other object to be height adjusted orleveled. The foot and threaded socket together for a height adjustableleg. Rotation of the shaft 11 in the socket 5 causes the foot to moveaxially relative to the socket to set the height of the object supportedby the leg. Typically an object will be supported on two, three, four ormore height adjustable legs so that the height and level of the objectmay be adjusted. A base 12 of the foot contacts a floor surface or othersurface supporting the object. In some embodiments the shaft 11 may berotationally supported on the base 12, so that the base 12 rests on afloor surface or other surface supporting the object without rotationwhen turning the shaft for height adjustment. A low friction interfacemay be provided between the shaft 11 and the base 12 to allow the shaftto turn relative to the floor or supporting surface while the baseremains stationary on the floor. In some embodiments the shaft may befixed to the base 12 so that the base and threaded shaft turn togetherwhen adjusting the height of the supported object. The threaded shaft 11may comprise a thread along its full length or part way along itslength. For example, in some embodiments the threaded shaft may have athreaded portion at an end of the shaft to engage a correspondingthreaded socket part. In some embodiments the threaded shaft maycomprise a hollow threaded portion. That is the threaded shaft may havean internal thread to mate with a corresponding threaded shaft or malethread. In other words, in some embodiments the foot 10 may comprise athreaded socket having an internal thread to mate with a correspondingthreaded shaft attached to the object being supported. An example of afoot comprising a threaded socket is illustrated in FIG. 25C.

A tool 50 is used for turning or rotating the foot to adjust the heightof the object. The tool comprises a driving member 51. The footcomprises a corresponding driven member or feature 13. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1A to 10, the driving member is a pinion 51 and thedriven member or feature comprises a rotary rack 13 on (fixed to) thethreaded shaft.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a handle 52 coupled to thedriving member 51 via a connecting rod 65 (shown in FIG. 10). In theillustrated embodiment the rod coupled between the handle 52 and thedriving member 51 is shrouded by an arm 53 extending between the drivingmember 51 and the handle 52. Rotation of the handle 52 about alongitudinal axis of the handle causes rotation of the driving member51. With the tool engaged with the foot the driving member 51 is engagedor meshed with the driven member 13 so that rotation of the handle turnsthe threaded shaft 11 for height adjustment. In the embodiment of FIGS.1A to 10 the driving member rotates about a lateral axis relative to alongitudinal axis of the threaded shaft when driving the driven memberor feature 13. The driving member drives the driven member to rotate thedriven member about the longitudinal axis of the leg. In someembodiments the lateral axis is substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the threaded shaft. In some embodiments the lateralaxis is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the threadedshaft.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a joint 54 between the handle 52and the driving member 51 so that driving member 51 has a rotationalaxis able to articulate from a rotational axis of the handle 52. Forexample joint 54 is a universal joint. In some embodiments thearticulation allows a user to move the handle up and down by rotation ofthe handle and arm about a substantially horizontal axis 55. Thismovement of the handle may ergonomically assist with use of the tool forheight adjustment of the foot. Articulation between the handle and thedriven member with the handle rotated about axis 55 to a raised positionis illustrated in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the handle may be fitted with an interface forconnecting an additional tool for applying torque to driving member viathe handle. For example, the illustrated embodiment as shown in FIG. 8comprises a hexagonal socket 61. A user may fit a tool such as a wrenchor a power drill to the handle via the hexagonal socket to providetorque to the handle for turning the foot via the driving member.Whether a user turns the handle by hand or by a tool fitted to thehandle may depend on the weight of the object being supported by thefoot. The handle 52 and/or the interface 61 may be described as a torqueinput for applying torque to the driving member. The torque input allowsa user to apply torque to the driving member, for example by hand usinghandle 52 wherein the handle is the torque input. In some embodimentsthe handle 52 is not fitted with an interface for attaching anadditional tool, wherein the handle is the torque input. In someembodiments, the tool 50 does not have a handle, but comprises a torqueinput for attaching an additional tool to tool 50, for example interface61. In some embodiments the handle of the tool does not rotate to turnthe driving member. A user may hold the handle and rotate the drivingmember using an additional tool via the torque input, for example socket61.

Other torque input examples are a slot for receiving a screw driver anda square or hexagonal male interface for being received in a femalesquare or hexagonal socket of a drive tool.

In some embodiments the tool may be a power tool. That is, the tool maycomprise an electric motor as the torque input for driving the drivingmember. A motor may be located in a (stationary) handle of the tool, orbetween the handle and the driving member.

The tool and the foot are complementarily adapted to releasably maintainengagement between the driving member 51 and the driven member orfeature 13 to allow the driving member to drive the driven member orfeature to rotate the shaft 11. The tool and the foot comprisecomplementary features to releasably maintain engagement between thedriving member and the driven member when the tool is engaged with thefoot. The tool and the foot comprise complementary features toreleasably maintain engagement between the tool and the foot toreleasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the drivenmember. In some embodiments, the tool and the foot comprisecomplementary features to assist with alignment of the tool with thefoot when engaging the tool to the foot. The foot 10 may be described asa coupling or coupling part of the height adjustable leg for coupling tothe tool so that the tool is releasably engaged to the height adjustableleg for height adjustment.

For lateral alignment of the tool and the foot, in some embodiments thetool comprises a lateral extension 56 for capturing or bearing against alateral facing surface of the foot, for example surface 14. In someembodiments the tool comprises a lateral extension 56 for capturing orbearing against a lateral facing surface of the foot to releasablyretain the tool to the foot in a lateral direction. For example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 10, the tool comprises two spacedapart lateral extensions 56. The lateral extensions 56 provide a jaw 63for capturing the foot laterally to align the tool to the foot. In someembodiments, the jaw 63 captures the foot laterally to releasably retainthe tool to the foot in a lateral direction to releasably maintainengagement between the driving member 51 and the driven member 13. Adiameter of the foot is complementarily sized to bear against radiallyfacing surfaces of the tool to laterally align the position of the toolcorrectly to the foot. For example, a diameter 14 of the foot may becomplementarily sized to bear against radially inward facing surfaces 57of the jaw 63 to laterally set the position of the tool correctly to thefoot. When the tool engages with the foot the diameter 14 is receivedwithin the jaw. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10, radialfacing surfaces 69 may bear against outside diameter of circular flange16. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10, radial facingsurfaces 70 may bear against an outside diameter of the driven member orfeature 13. In some embodiments the tool may comprise lateral extensions56 for engaging an outer diameter of the threaded shaft. For example,the tool lateral extensions 56 may engage the major diameter of thethread of the threaded shaft, the threaded shaft rotationally sliding onthe radial facing surfaces 57 of the lateral extensions when the toolrotationally drives the foot. In some embodiments the foot may comprisea threaded socket and the lateral extensions may engage an outerdiameter of the threaded socket.

In some embodiments the tool may comprise one lateral extension 56, asillustrated in FIG. 11. The lateral extension comprises a radiallyinward facing surface 57 that bears against the corresponding diameter14 of the foot 10. In some embodiments the lateral extension 56 isprovided to a side of the foot so that the radial inward facing surface57 of the tool bears against the corresponding diameter of the foot whenthe tool is used to drive the threaded shaft of the foot in a directionto increase the height of the object being supported. This arrangementensures the tool remains engaged to the foot laterally when driving thefoot against the weight of the object being supported.

With reference to FIG. 9, in some embodiments the entrance 64 to the jaw63 is narrower than the diameter 14 of the foot to which the jawengages. In other words, in some embodiments the jaw extends around thediameter 14 of the foot by more than 180 degrees to capture the foot inthe jaw when the tool is engaged with the foot. To engage the tool withthe foot, the jaw elastically deflects slightly (for example lateralextensions 56 bend outwards) to allow the foot to pass through theentrance 64 of the jaw. Once the foot is received in the jaw the jawreturns to its un-deflected position or a less deflected position sothat the tool is ‘clipped’ to the foot. To remove the tool from the footit is necessary to apply a force to the tool to pull the tool from thefoot in the direction of the arm to deflect the lateral extensions to‘unclip’ the tool from the foot.

In an alternative embodiment one or both lateral extensions may pivotbetween an open position to allow the tool to connect with the foot, anda closed position where the jaw of the tool grabs or closes around adiameter of the foot. For example, each lateral extension may pivotabout a vertical axis so that the jaw may present an open state toreceive the foot. Once the foot is received in the jaw the lateralextensions are pivoted to close the jaw around the foot. The tool may beprovided with an actuator to move the jaw between an open and closeposition. For example the actuator may comprise a rod that extends fromthe handle to the jaws of the tool and a mechanism to causetranslational movement of the rod along the arm of the tool to rotatethe lateral extensions between the open and close positions. Theactuator preferably allows the jaw to be operated from the handle end ofthe tool.

The jaw 63 formed by lateral extensions 56 may be described as being Cshaped. In some embodiments the jaw extends around diameter 14 of thefoot by 180 degrees or less than 180 degrees, to capture the footlaterally to releasably retain the tool to the foot in a lateraldirection to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member51 and the driven member 13 as the driving member drives the drivenmember for height adjustment of the leg. The tool, although laterallycoupled or secured to the foot to maintain engagement between the drivenand driving members, may be released from the foot by moving the toollaterally away from the foot in the direction of the arm of the tool.The tool is laterally coupled or secured to the foot in all otherlateral directions. To keep the tool engaged with the foot, a user maypush the tool against the foot in the direction of the arm. In theembodiment where the jaw extends around the foot by more than 180degrees, there is no requirement to push the tool against the foot tomaintain engagement as the tool is clipped to the foot.

For axial alignment of the tool and the foot, in some embodiments thetool comprises an axially facing bearing surface 58 and the footcomprises a corresponding axially facing bearing surface 15. In someembodiments, contact between the tool and foot axial bearing surfaces58, 15 releasably retain the tool to the foot in an axial direction toreleasably maintain engagement between the driving member 52 and thedriven member 13. In some embodiments contact between the axial bearingsurfaces of the tool and foot holds the driving member against thedriven member. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 11, theaxial facing bearing surface 15 is provided by a flange 16 axiallyspaced from the driving member or feature 13. The tool is capturedaxially between the flange 16 and the driving member or feature 13 toaxially align the position of the tool correctly to the foot forengagement between the driving member and the driven member.

In some embodiments, the tool comprises a first axial facing bearingsurface and a second oppositely facing axial surface, for examplesurfaces 58 and 62. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 11 thefirst and second axial facing surfaces are captured in a slot or channelextending circumferentially around the foot. A circumferential channel18 in the foot is defined by the axial bearing surface 15 and theoppositely facing rotary rack 13. Surface 15 and the driven member 13form axial sides of the channel 18. The axial facing surfaces of thetool are provided on the lateral extensions 56. When aligning the toolwith the foot, the first axial facing surface 58 of the tool bearsagainst the foot axial surface 15, and/or the second axial facingsurface 62 of the tool bears against surfaces of the rotary rack 13 toaxially locate the tool to the foot. Tooth tips of teeth of the rotaryrack 13 form a discontinuous annular axial facing bearing surface. Insome embodiments, each tooth comprises a flat portion at a tip of thetooth, as illustrated by the embodiment of FIG. 26D, the flat portionsof the teeth combining to form the discontinuous axial facing bearingsurface.

In some embodiments, an axial facing surface of the driving membercontacts an axial facing surface of the foot to position the tool to thefoot in the axial direction. For example, the pinion 51 may be capturedbetween the rack 13 and surface 15, a tooth tip or tips of the pinionproviding an axial facing bearing surface of the tool to contact surface15 to maintain the driving member 51 in contact with the driven member13. With the tool engaged with the foot, the driving member 51 may beaxially captured between the driven member 13 and axial facing surface15. As the pinion rotates, each tooth tip may contact the surface 15,each tooth tip providing an axial facing bearing surface as it rotatesinto contact with the surface 15.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10, the driving member islocated between lateral extensions 56. With the driving member 51located in the jaw of the tool (defined by lateral extensions 56), thedriving member is located within the circumferential slot or channel 18that receives the jaw of the tool when the tool is engaged with thefoot, and the driven member or feature provides an axial facing surfaceagainst which the second axial facing surface of the tool bears foraxial positioning. In an alternative embodiment, the driving member 51may be spaced axially from the jaw, so that the jaw engages with acircumferential slot or channel spaced axially from the driven member orfeature 13.

In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1A to 11, the driven member 13is a circular flange comprising a rotary rack and the tool is capturedaxially between the driven member and the axial facing bearing surface15 for alignment. In some embodiments, the driven member 13 may becaptured between the driving member 51 and a flange extending from thetool to bear against an opposite axial side 19 of the driving member 13,for example flange 66 (best shown in FIG. 10). In some embodiments,flange 66 of the tool provides a back support for the driven member orfeature. Where the object (for example a cabinet) being supported by thefoot is heavy, torque transmitted from the driving member to the drivenmember may produce a force acting to deflect the driven member 13 awayfrom the driving member and out of engagement, or the driving member maytend to lift off the driven member or feature. The flange 66 may supportthe back or opposite side 19 of the driven member 13 to keep the drivenmember or feature 13 in contact with the driving member 51. In someembodiments, with the tool engaged with the foot, the driven member 13is captured between the lateral flange 66 of the tool and the drivingmember 51. In some embodiments, flange 66 provides an axial facingbearing surface 68 to contact corresponding axial facing surface 19 ofthe foot to releasably maintain engagement between the driving memberand the driven member or feature in an axial direction.

In some embodiments as described above, the tool is thus axially coupledto the foot in both axial directions. For example the tool cannot liftaway from the foot. The tool is released from the foot by pulling thetool laterally away from the foot. That is, to disengage the tool fromthe foot, the tool is moved radially away from the foot. To disengagethe tool from the foot a user only needs to move the toollaterally/radially away from the foot without requiring the user to movethe tool axially relative to the foot. For example, the user does notneed to lift the tool off the foot before pulling the tool laterallyaway from the foot. Lifting the tool off the foot can be a difficult orcumbersome task when disengaging the tool from a foot at the rear of acabinet or other object being supported. Also, with low toe-kick heightdesigns for cabinetry which are becoming increasingly popular (and alsooften involve obstacles such as plumbing), there is limited or no heightclearance making lifting the tool off the foot even more difficult.

In some embodiments such as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A to10, the tool comprises a lateral member 56 that engages acircumferentially extending slot or channel 18 in the foot for axialpositioning. In some embodiments, the foot may comprise a disc orcircular flange coaxial with the threaded shaft to be received in acorresponding recess or slot in the tool. For example, the driven memberor other flange may be received in a horizontal slot of the tool. Forexample, in some embodiments, a slot may be formed between surface 58and flange 67 for receiving flange 16 of the foot 10. In someembodiments, flanges 66 and 67 (best shown in FIG. 10) of the tool maylocate on surfaces 19 and 20 of the foot to position the tool relativeto the foot in the axial direction. In some embodiments, the toolflanges 66 and 67 provide a first axial facing bearing surface and asecond opposite axial facing bearing surface to bear corresponding axialfacing bearing surfaces 19 and 20 of the foot. Contact between the tooland foot axial facing bearing surfaces releasably retains the tool tothe foot in an axial direction to releasably maintain engagement betweenthe driving member and the driven member or feature. In someembodiments, axial facing surface 62 may provide a guiding surface tobring the driving member and the driven member or feature into initialcontact, and surface 68 and surface 19 releasably maintaining engagementbetween the driving member and the driven member or feature once thedriving member and the driven member or feature are engaged.

In the illustrated embodiment, the driven member or feature 13 being arotary rack is positioned to face upwardly. For a right hand threadedshaft, this arrangement ensures that right hand turning (clockwise) ofthe handle 52 of the tool works to lift the height of the object beingsupported. In an alternative embodiment the rotary rack may bepositioned to face downwards, so that left hand turning of the handleworks to raise the supported object. In a further alternative, thethreaded shaft may comprise a left hand thread. With the rotary rackfacing downwards and a left hand threaded shaft, right hand turning ofthe handle works to raise the object. The inventor considers that righthand turning of the tool handle for raising the object is a preferredarrangement as right hand turn of the handle to lift the object may beconsidered to be intuitive by a user. In yet another alternative, thethreaded shaft may comprise a left hand thread, and the rack may faceupwards so that left hand turning of the of the handle works to raisethe supported object.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 11, the driven member orfeature 13 is fixed to or on the shaft 11 so that the driven member orfeature remains at a fixed height relative to a floor surface or othersurface on which the foot is to be positioned when the foot issupporting the weight of the object on the floor surface or othersurface. For example, in some embodiments the driven member may beintegrally formed with the shaft, or may be attached to the shaft. Forsuch an arrangement, in some embodiments the tool comprises apositioning feature or features for setting the driving member at aheight relative to the floor surface or other surface so that thedriving member is positioned axially relative to the foot for engagementwith the driven member, the height of the driven member and height ofthe driving member both being referenced from the floor surface or othersurface. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10, the toolcomprises guides 59 that contact the floor surface to present the toolat the correct height or axial position relative to the foot forengagement with the foot.

The guides 59 or axial positioning features may provide an initialalignment of the tool to the foot. The tool may comprise ramp features60 (best shown in FIG. 10) to accommodate some vertical misalignmentbetween the foot and the tool. For example, in a particularinstallation, prior to adjustment a foot may be raised off the floorsurface so that correct axial positioning of the tool relative to thefoot is not initially provided by guides 59. Guiding axial alignmentbetween the tool and the foot and therefore between the driven memberand the driving member is preferably provided by the ramp featuresbearing against an axial bearing surface of the foot. For example, inthe embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 10, the ramps or cam surfaces60 make sliding contact with the rotary rack to lift or guide the toolinto correct axial position with the foot, even when the foot isinitially raised slightly off the floor surface. In the illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10, the ramp or cam surface 60 provides axialalignment of distance X indicated on FIG. 10. If foot 10 was initiallyraised off the floor by distance X, with the tool supported on guides 59on the floor, as a user pushes the tool into the foot, cam surface 60will contact the foot and guide the tool to the correct axial positiondefined by axial facing surface 62. In some embodiments the ramp surfaceand the axial facing surface 62 are continuous.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the threaded shaft isreceived in a threaded component 30 that is adapted to remain at a fixedheight relative to the object being supported by the foot. The threadedcomponent 30 is free to rotate relative to the object being supported.In some embodiments the threaded component 30 forms part of a footassembly 10 or height adjustable leg assembly. The threaded shaft 11 isadapted to be rotationally fixed to the object being supported. Forexample, the shaft may be provided with a flat longitudinal surface 17or surfaces to mate with a socket (not illustrated) attached to orformed with the object supported by the foot, the socket comprising acorresponding flat surface or surfaces. A height adjustable leg assemblymay comprise the shaft 11, corresponding socket (not shown) and thethreaded component 30. In such an embodiment the threaded component 30comprises the driven member or feature 13, to be driven by the tool toadjust the relative axial positions of the threaded shaft and thethreaded component. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the threadedcomponent may comprise a rotary rack 13 to be driven by the drivingmember 51 of the tool 50, as described above. The threaded component 30may be described as a coupling or coupling part of the height adjustableleg for coupling to the tool so that the tool is releasably engaged tothe height adjustable leg for height adjustment.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the position of the threaded component 30is not fixed relative to the floor surface or other surface supportingthe base 12 of the foot. The threaded component raises or lowers withthe supported object as the foot is adjusted by the tool for heightadjustment. In this embodiment, the tool 50 does not locate axially offthe floor surface for initial alignment with the foot, as described forthe embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10. Final axial and lateral alignment ofthe tool and the threaded component may be achieved in the same way asdescribed with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10.

By way of example the foot 10 has been described above as comprising athreaded shaft 11. For example the driven member 13 may be integrallyformed with the threaded shaft, or may be attached or releasablyattached to the shaft. In some embodiments, the foot may be providedwithout or separate to a threaded shaft 11. For example, a heightadjustable leg for supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure maycomprise a threaded shaft 11, and a foot according to some embodimentsof the present invention may be adapted to be attached, fixed or fittedto an end of the threaded shaft. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, afoot 10 according to some embodiments of the present invention maycomprise the driven member 13 and an interface detail for fitting thefoot 10 to a shaft 11. In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 13Athe interface feature is a socket. The foot comprises the socket 101 forreceiving an end 111 of the threaded shaft to attach the foot to the endof the shaft. The shaft may form part of a height adjustable leg forsupporting the cabinet, appliance or structure, and the foot is adaptedto be fitted to the height adjustable leg. For example, a heightadjustable leg may comprise threaded shaft 11 and a threaded socket 5 orcomponent adapted to be attached or fixed to the cabinet or structure orother object to be supported. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12,the threaded component 30 may be called a foot. The foot 30 supports acabinet or other object on the threaded shaft 11. The threaded shaftprovides a leg on which the cabinet or object is supported via the foot30.

Further embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 24. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 13A, the foot 10 may be described as a couplingor coupling part of a height adjustable leg for coupling to the tool sothat the tool is releasably engaged to the height adjustable leg forheight adjustment. As described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 11,in some embodiments the axial position of the tool relative to the footor coupling may be set by a flange extending from the tool that bearsagainst an opposite axial side 19 of the driving member 13, for exampleflange 66, as best shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 13A illustrates an embodimentthat also comprises a flange 66 that bears against the back side 19 ofthe driven member. In some embodiments the driven member 13 may becaptured axially between the driving member 51 and the flange 66. Insome embodiments the driven member may be captured between the flange 66bearing against a back side 19 of the driven member and a second axialsurface 62 (best illustrated in FIG. 19) bearing against surfaces of therotary rack 13 to axially locate the tool to the foot. Tooth tips ofteeth of the rotary rack 13 may form a discontinuous annular axialfacing bearing surface. In the embodiment of FIGS. 13A to 21, the flange66 provides a back support for the driven member 13. Transmitting torquefrom the driving member to the driven member may produce a force thatacts to deflect the driven member 13 away from the driving member andout of engagement, or the driving member may lift off the driven memberor feature. In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 to 21, the flange 66 supportsthe back or opposite side 19 of the driven member 13 to keep the drivenmember or feature 13 in contact or engaged with the driving member 51.

With the tool engaged with the foot, the driven member 13 is capturedbetween the lateral flange 66 of the tool and the driving member 51, orbetween the lateral flange 66 and the axial surface 62 bearing againstthe rotary rack. The flange 66 provides an axial facing bearing surface68 to contact corresponding axial facing surface 19 of the foot toreleasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the drivenmember or feature in an axial direction. The axial facing surface 19 ofthe foot may be a discontinuous surface. For example, the back side ofthe driven member may comprise radial ribs for strength. The ribs maybear against the bearing surface 68 of the tool as the foot rotates whendriven by the driving member of the tool. As shown in FIG. 13B, the foot10 may be provided without the upper flange 15 of the foot illustratedin FIG. 2 as the axial alignment of the tool to the foot in FIG. 13A isprovided by the driven member 13 being received between the drivenmember and/or axial surface 62 and the flange or back support 66. Theflange 66 contacts the back side of the driven member with the toolengaged with the foot at least at an angular position at which thedriving member engages the driven member, to prevent the rotary rackflexing away from the pinion, or the pinion lifting off the rotary rack.Preferably the flange engages the back side of the rack at a perimeterportion of the back side of the rack. In some embodiments the flangesupports a substantial portion of the back side of the driven member.For example, the flange 66 may contact more than 50% of the back side ofthe rotary rack. Preferably the back support 66 contacts the back of therack by 180 degrees or more around the rack.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in some embodiments the tool comprises afirst axial facing surface 68 and a second axial facing surface 62. Whenaligning the tool with the foot, the first axial facing surface 68 ofthe tool may bear against the back side 19 of the driven member and thesecond axial facing surface 62 of the tool may bear against surfaces ofthe rotary rack 13 to axially locate the tool to the foot. The first andsecond axial facing surfaces 68, 62 face together to form sides of aslot or channel 80. The driven member 13 is received in the slot 80 andcontacts the axial surfaces 68, 62 to position the tool axially to thefoot. In some embodiments the surfaces 68, 62 each have a ramp surface60 at an opening of the slot of channel to provide converging surfacesextending into the slot to assist with aligning the tool to the foot toensure correct engagement between the rack and pinion.

In some embodiments, the axial distance between the axial facingsurfaces 62, 68 may be greater than the axial thickness of the drivenmember 13, such that the slot 80 allows for some axial misalignmentbetween the foot and the tool. Final alignment of the tool to the footand engagement of the driving member to the driven member may beachieved by the first axial surface 68 acting on the back side of therack to pull the driving member 51 onto the driven member 13. With thedriving member engaged with the driven member a gap may exist betweenthe driven member and axial facing surface 62.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13A to 24, in use the drivenmember or feature 13 is fixed or attached to or on the shaft 11 so thatthe driven member or feature remains at a fixed height relative to afloor surface or other surface on which the foot is to be positionedwhen the foot is supporting the weight of the object on the floorsurface or other surface. For such an arrangement, in some embodimentsthe tool comprises a positioning feature or features for setting thedriving member at a height relative to the floor surface or othersurface so that the driving member is positioned axially relative to thefoot for engagement with the driven member, the height of the drivenmember and height of the driving member both being referenced from thefloor surface or other surface. For example the tool comprises guides orsides 59 that contact the floor surface to present the tool at thecorrect height or axial position relative to the foot for engagementwith the foot. The lateral extensions 56 may act as the guides, a bottomsurface of the lateral extension 56 contacts the surface supporting thebase of the foot to set the tool at an appropriate height to engage thefoot.

The guides 59 or axial positioning features may provide an initialalignment of the tool to the foot. The tool may comprise ramp features60 (best shown in FIG. 20) to accommodate some vertical misalignmentbetween the foot and the tool. For example, in a particularinstallation, prior to adjustment a foot may be raised off the floorsurface so that correct axial positioning of the tool relative to thefoot is not initially provided by guides 59. Guiding axial alignmentbetween the tool and the foot and therefore between the driven memberand the driving member is preferably provided by the ramp featuresbearing against an axial bearing surface of the foot. For example, theramps or cam surfaces 60 make sliding contact with the rotary rack tolift or guide the tool into correct axial position with the foot, evenwhen the foot is initially raised slightly off the floor surface.

For the back support flange 66 to pass underneath or behind the drivenmember the driven member 13 is spaced from the base 12 of the foot asshown in FIG. 13B, so that a gap is provided between the surface onwhich the base of the foot sits and the back side 19 of the drivenmember. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17 the back support flange66 may be approximately C shaped to fit around the base 12 of the foot.In some embodiments the back support flange is approximately C shapedand extends round the base and the driven member by more than 180degrees. In some embodiments the C shaped back support flange 66 may actas a lateral jaw to capture a diameter of the coupling to laterallyposition the tool to the foot from the base 12 of the foot, in a similarway to the way in which the jaw 63 formed by lateral extensions 56 fitsaround diameter 14 of the foot described with reference to theembodiment of FIGS. 1A to 10. In the illustrated embodiment an upper jawis provided by the lateral extensions 56 and a lower jaw is provided bythe flange 66. A benefit of having two axially spaced jaws is that thejaws prevent twisting or bending of the foot, or prevent the tooltwisting relative to the foot when driving the foot for heightadjustment. Preferably the foot and tool and complementarily sized sothat there is a small clearance between each jaw and the diameter ordiameters of the foot that the jaws grab around. For example, preferablythe radial clearance between the radial face of each jaw and the foot isless than 1 mm. In some embodiments jaw 62 is clamped onto the diameterof the foot. For example the lateral extensions 56 of the jaw may beslightly flexed outwardly with the tool coupled to the foot.

In some embodiments the tool may comprise two jaws for laterallypositioning the tool to the foot, the two jaws spaced axially apart. Insome embodiments the tool may comprise a first jaw positioned on oneaxial side (for example above) the driven member and a second jawpositioned on the other axial side (for example below) the drivenmember.

In some embodiments the foot may be provided with a base spacer 90. Sucha spacer may be useful where the foot 10 is supporting an object from asurface that is soft, for example a carpeted floor. Where the foot sitson a carpeted floor or other soft surface, the weight of the objectbeing supported by the foot may push the foot down into the carpet orsoft surface such that the tool does not correctly align vertically withthe foot when attempting to engage the tool to the foot. In such aninstallation, the spacer attached to the base of the foot takes upvertical displacement of the foot into a soft surface so that the footand driven member is positioned at a correct vertical height for thetool to engage the foot so that the driving and driven member engage. Insome embodiments the spacer is a cap that attaches to the base. Thespacer may clip onto or over the base. For example an outer diameter orperimeter of the base may be received in an inner diameter of thespacer. The inventor has found that a spacer height of about 10 mm to 15mm can be useful for use on a carpeted surface to assist with ensuringthe foot is a suitable height for interfacing with the tool. In someinstallations a spacer may be useful where the foot is supporting anobject from a floor surface below an adjacent surface level on which thetool may be positioned. For example, a cabinet may be supported by afoot on a concrete floor. Adjacent to the cabinet the concrete floor maybe covered with a floor overlay such as floor boards. In this example,the spacer may be used to raise the foot 10 by the thickness of thefloor boards so that the tool positioned on the floor boards may reachthe foot at the correct height. In some embodiments, the spacer may havea height of about 10 mm to 20 mm. In some embodiments a range of spacersmay be provided, each spacer of a different height to suit differentfloor surface softness or to account for a height difference betweenadjacent floor surfaces. For example a plurality of spacers may beprovided in the height range of 5 mm to 20 mm. For example there may bea height difference of 0.5 mm or 1 mm between spacers in a plurality ofspacers.

In the described embodiments the foot may be described as a couplingthat forms part of a height adjustable leg assembly. The foot orcoupling forms part of a height adjustable leg assembly and couples thetool to the height adjustable leg assembly. The tool 50 and the coupling10, 30 are complementarily adapted to releasably maintain engagementbetween the driving member and the driven member or feature to allow thedriving member to drive the driven member or feature to rotate thecoupling about a longitudinal axis of the leg for height adjustment ofthe leg. For example, the foot 10 of FIG. 1 comprising the threadedshaft may be described as a coupling. Similarly the foot or threadedcomponent 30 of FIG. 12 and the foot 10 of FIG. 13A (that is adapted tobe attached to shaft 11) each may be described as a coupling forreleasably coupling the tool 50 to the leg to releasably maintainengagement between the driving member and the driven member.

In the illustrated embodiments the coupling takes the weight of theobject being supported by the height adjustable leg. In some embodimentsthe coupling may not take any load or weight of the object beingsupported by a height or length adjustable leg. For example, withreference to the embodiment of FIG. 13A, a height adjustable leg maycomprise a threaded shaft 11, a corresponding threaded socket asdescribed above (e.g. item 5 in FIG. 1A), and a coupling 10 fitted(fixed) to the threaded shaft part way along the threaded shaft 11 (forexample a short distance from a bottom end of the threaded shaft) sothat the coupling does not contact the floor surface supporting theobject on the leg. An end or base of the threaded shaft may contact thefloor surface to support the weight of the object being supported by theleg.

Further embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 25A to 25C. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 25A to 25C the foot or coupling 10 comprises adriven member 13 integrally formed with a threaded socket 11. Thethreaded socket engages a threaded shaft (for example threaded shaft 5shown in FIG. 25C) attached to the object being supported by the foot.The tool of FIGS. 25A to 25C comprises a handle 52 as a torque input andmay also include a torque input 61 for engaging another tool asdescribed earlier. The driving member 51 of the tool 50 and the torqueinput 52 are fixed together to rotate only on a lateral axis 115relative to the longitudinal axis 116 of the leg. That is, in someembodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 25A to 25C, there is no articulationbetween the torque input 52, 61 and the driving member 51.

Where there is no articulation between the torque input 52, 61 and thedriving member 51 such that the driving member and the torque inputrotate only on the same lateral axis 115, preferably the lateral axis isat an angle to the longitudinal axis of the leg when the driving memberand driven member are engaged. For example, as best illustrated in FIG.25C, with the driving member 51 engaged with the driven member 13, thelateral axis 115 (which may be a longitudinal axis of the tool 50) isarranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis 116 of the leg. In otherwords, with the tool engaged with the foot 10, the longitudinal axis ofthe tool on which the driving member and torque input rotate is at anangle to the longitudinal axis of the leg.

Without articulation between the driving member and torque input,preferably the lateral axis on which the driving member and torque inputrotate is at an angle so that the torque input (for example handle) israised from the floor surface or other surface on which the foot rests.With the lateral axis at an angle, the handle 52 is raised from thefloor surface so that a user can grab the handle or manipulate thetorque input more easily than if the torque input was against or closerto the floor.

In some embodiments the lateral axis on which the driving member andtorque input rotate is at an angle (100 in FIG. 25C) of 80 to 88degrees, or 85 to 88 degrees, or 86 to 88 degrees, or 87 to 88 degrees.In a preferred embodiment the angle may be about 87.5 degrees.

As described earlier with reference to other embodiments, the toolcomprises lateral extensions 56 to laterally engage with a diameter ofthe coupling 10. In the embodiment of FIGS. 25A to 25C the toollaterally engages to an external diameter of threaded socket 11.

The tool 50 of FIGS. 25A to 25C may be simpler than previouslyillustrated embodiments, for example embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 13A,for example because the tool of FIGS. 25A to 25C does not havearticulation between the driving member and the handle. The only movingparts in the tool of FIGS. 25A to 25C are the driving member 51, thetorque input, and the shaft connected directly between the handle andthe driving member. The driving member 51, shaft 65 and handle 52 rotaterelative to a head of the tool adapted to couple to the coupling 10. Insome embodiments the shaft 65 may not be shrouded by an arm. Theembodiment of FIGS. 25A to 25D may be a cheaper alternative to a moreexpensive embodiment. For example the tool of FIGS. 25A to 25C may befor home use (and may be used only once or a limited number of times),whereas a more expensive version of the tool may be for a professionalinstaller (of for example cabinetry) where the tool is to be used manytimes over a long time period.

In some embodiments, as illustrated by the embodiment of FIGS. 25A to25D, the handle 52 has engagement features on an outside surface. In theparticular illustrated embodiment the engagement features arelongitudinal slots 110. In the illustrated embodiment there are fourslots 110 spaced apart around a circumference of the handle. There couldbe more than four slots, or less than four slots, for example two slotsoppositely opposed on a circumference of the handle. In some embodimentsthe engagement features may be longitudinally extending ribs on an outersurface of the handle spaced apart around a circumference of the handle.In some embodiments there may be two or more ribs.

The engagement features on the outside of the handle are adapted toengage with an inner surface of a handle extension. For example a handleextension may be a length of pipe or an elongate member with a socketfor receiving the handle. An example handle extension 200 is illustratedin FIG. 25D partly shown in cross section. Handle 52 of tool 50 isreceived in a socket 210 of handle extension 200. The socket hascomplementary engagement features for example ribs or slots for engagingthe slots or ribs on the handle to rotationally lock the handleextension to the handle. The example of FIG. 25D has ribs 211 forengaging slots 110 (shown in hidden detail in FIG. 25D) of tool handle52. The handle extension may provide a further handle 252 for turningthe driving member 51 of tool 50 via the engagement with the handle 52of the tool. The handle extension 200 may allow the tool to reach thelegs at the rear of a particularly deep cabinet or other structure beingsupported by legs comprising a coupling or foot according to someembodiments of the present invention. Further, as the handle extension200 is detachable from the handle 52, the tool 50 and handle extensionmay be of a length to allow both to fit within a typical size of toolbox for convenient storage and transportation. In some embodiments thetool handle 52 may comprise an internal bore comprising engagementfeatures for interfacing with corresponding engagement features on anouter surface of a handle extension.

The length of the engagement features of the handle 52 for interfacingwith the handle extension 200 provides for an inflexible or rigidcoupling between the handle and handle extension. By comparison, thetorque input 61 for connecting for example a power tool provides forrelatively short length of engagement such that the power tool engagingwith the socket 61 can be moved (for example pivoted) relative to thetool 50. However, the engagement between the handle 52 and handleextension provides for no movement between the handle 52 and the handleextension 200. For example, the socket 211 may engage the handle 52 overa length of at least 50 mm, or 60 mm, or 70 mm or more.

In this specification and claims, the phrase “rotary rack” is used todescribe a ring gear with axial facing gear teeth, for example a facegear, crown gear or bevel gear. Further, the rotary rack in theillustrated embodiments may be described as a straight bevel gear. Aring gear allows for the driving member or pinion to engage with thedriven member from a lateral direction. In a preferred embodiment thedriving member and driven member are bevel gears.

The gears releasably mesh together in a lateral direction when engagingthe tool with the coupling. That is the gears laterally mesh togetherwhen engaging the tool with the coupling. The gears are releasablymeshed together when the tool is engaged with the coupling. When thetool is disengaged from the coupling the gears are separated.

In this specification and claims, the term “gear” is intended to mean arotary gear that is free to rotate continuously in at least onedirection. Preferably the driving member is a gear that is free torotate in both directions.

In some embodiments the rotary rack has an outer diameter in the rangeof about 30 mm to 100 mm, or about 40 mm to 90 mm, or about 50 mm to 80mm. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the rotary rack is about60 mm, or 70 mm, or 80 mm.

In some embodiments the rotary rack has a width (distance between anouter radius and inner radius of the rack face) of about 5 to 20 mm, orabout 8 to 15 mm, or about 10 to 12 mm. In some embodiments the rackwidth is about 10 mm. The pinion may have a length substantially similarto the width of the rotary rack.

In some embodiments the rotary rack may have about 40 to 200 teeth, or50 to 100 teeth, or 60 to 80 teeth, or about 70 teeth.

In some embodiments the pinion is generally frustoconical, having asmaller diameter at a forward end (furthest from the handle end of thetool) and a larger diameter at a rearward end (nearest the handle end ofthe tool). In some embodiments the pinion may be generally cylindricalhaving straight sides. The pinion may have a diameter of about 5 to 20mm, or about 7 to 18 mm. Where the pinion is generally frustoconical, insome embodiments the pinion has a diameter at a smaller end of about 5to 15 mm and a diameter at a larger end of about 10 to 30 mm. In someembodiments, the small end and large end of the pinion have diameters ofabout 9 to 10 mm and 16 to 17 mm.

As described above, in some embodiments the pinion is fixed to thetorque input without any articulation between the pinion and torqueinput. In such an embodiment, the pinion and rack are arranged so thatthe angle of the lateral axis on which the pinion rotates is at an anglesuch that the height of the handle or arm of the tool is less than theheight of a typical toe-kick height of a cabinet when the tool isengaged to a foot at the rear of the cabinet and with the handle of thetool extending beyond the front of the cabinet. Preferably the pinionand rack are arranged so that the lateral axis of the pinion and torqueinput is less than about 12.5 degrees so that the handle or arm of thetool clears the bottom of the cabinet.

Where the pinion is frustoconical, the toothed surface of the rotaryrack is inclined to mesh with the pinion. This arrangement allows forthe thickness of the rotary rack at the perimeter of the rotary rack tobe less than the thickness of the rotary rack at an inner diameter ofthe rotary rack (for example where the rack meets the diameter portion14 of the coupling, or the threaded socket or shaft).

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, the back side of therotary rack is inclined, and the surface 68 of the tool that provides aback support for the rotary rack is inclined to match, to support theback of the rack as described above. Where the back side of the rotaryrack is inclined, the thickness of the rotary rack at the perimeter ofthe rotary rack is less than the thickness of the rotary rack at aninner diameter of the rotary rack.

A reduced thickness at the outer perimeter of the rack compared to thethickness at the inner perimeter of the rack can assist in someembodiments with engagement of the rack to the pinion. Where the pinionis frustoconical and/or a surface of the back support flange 66 isinclined, the pinion and the back support flange 66 of the tool presentan axial gap between the pinion and the flange 66 that converges fromthe forward end of the pinion towards the rearward end of the pinion. Asthe thickness of the rack at the perimeter of the rack is less than theaxial gap between the pinion and the flange 66 at the forward end of thepinion the driven member of the foot is easily received between thepinion and the surface 68 of the back support flange 66. In someembodiments this arrangement assists with alignment of the rack to thepinion to ensure the pinion engages with the rack as the tool engagesthe foot from a lateral direction. For example, where the axial gapbetween axial surfaces 62 and 68 is greater than the thickness of thedriven member 13, final axial alignment of the tool to the foot andengagement of the pinion to the rotary rack may be achieved by the firstaxial surface 68 and the pinion capturing the rotary rack between thepinion and surface 68. In some embodiments, the back support flange 66may have a ramped surface 81 for receiving the rack between the pinionand the flange.

Preferably the back side 19 of the rack is at an angle of 0 to 12.5degrees (where 0 degrees is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe foot). An acute angle or perpendicular is preferred so that theflange 66 exerts a predominantly upward component of force to counteractthe pinion lifting off the rack or the rack deflecting from the pinionwhen the pinion drives the rack. For example, with reference to FIGS.26A to 26D, in some embodiments the back side of the rack 13 comprises aportion 19 that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the foot. Preferably the perpendicular portion 19 is at a perimeterportion of the back side of the rack. As shown in FIG. 26B, the flange66 of the tool has a corresponding axial facing bearing surface 68 thatis also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool when the toolis engaged with the foot.

Other gear arrangements may be envisaged. For example, in someembodiments, the driving member and driven member may comprise spurgears, when meshed together the driven member and driving member havingparallel rotational axis. The driving member may be a pinion and thedriven member a gear, the pinion and gear having parallel rotationalaxes. In such an embodiment, a worm gear or bevel gear or universaljoint or joints may couple the driving member to tool handle 52 ortorque input.

In some embodiments the foot or coupling may be formed from a plasticsmaterial, for example moulded from Acetal or other suitable plasticsmaterial. The tool may also be generally formed from plastics materials,for example Acetal, polypropylene and/or ABS. The pinion of the tool maybe formed from steel or a suitable plastics material, for example glassfilled nylon. In the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 19 the shaft 65 may beformed from steel, and in the embodiment of FIG. 65 the shaft may beformed from Aluminium, for example a hollow extrusion.

A foot or coupling and a tool according to the present invention areadapted so that the tool remains continuously engaged with the drivenmember or feature when driving the driven member or feature to rotatethe coupling or foot. For example, the tool can rotate the coupling by apart revolution, a full revolution, or many revolutions and in bothdirections without being disengaged from the coupling. The tool does notneed to be disengaged and reengaged from and to the coupling duringcomplete adjustment of the leg height. The tool can adjust the length ofthe leg up and down without disengaging the tool from the coupling. Thetool is adapted to be held stationary in a circumferential directionrelative to the leg when the driving member drives the driven member orfeature for adjusting the height of the object supported by the leg.Thus the tool is not limited to working in a particular arc lengtharound the leg, but remains in a stationary angular position relative tothe leg during height adjustment. With the driving member engaged to thedriven member or feature, rotation of the tool handle or other torqueinput about an axis independent of the longitudinal axis of the leg(e.g. the shaft of the foot) drives the driven member or feature forheight adjustment of the leg. The tool may be used to adjust the leg inboth directions without removing the tool from the coupling. Forexample, the handle of the tool may be rotated in one direction (forexample clockwise) to increase the height of the leg and then in theopposite direction (anti-clockwise) to reduce the height of the leg,while the tool remains continuously engaged to the leg. In other words,the tool is adapted so that the direction of height adjustment (up ordown) can be reversed without removing the tool from the coupling. Thedriving member stays continuously engaged with the driven member toeffect a change in height of the leg in at least one direction. Forexample, in some embodiments the tool can drive the coupling by morethan 180 degrees, or 270 degrees, or at least one full revolution, or 2revolutions, or 3 revolutions or more, in either or both directionswithout disengaging the driving member from the driven member. Thehandle of the tool remains stationary or does not rotate substantiallyaround the leg, for example by less than one full revolution, or lessthan 270 degrees, or less than 180 degrees, or less than 90 degrees, orless than 45 degrees. The tool is adapted to adjust the height of theleg by many degrees of rotation of the coupling for minimal degrees ofrotation of the tool about the about the longitudinal axis of the leg.

In some embodiments the driving member stays continuously engaged withthe driven member to effect a change in height of the leg in bothdirections. This is particularly useful for fine tuning the height of aleg to achieve a level installation of a cabinet or other object. Wherean adjustment in one direction overshoots a height level, adjustment inthe opposite direction can be made immediately without removing the toolfrom the foot. This can be a significant advantage when adjusting theheights of many legs in a single installation, for example wheninstalling kitchen cabinetry which often includes 30 or more legs.Typically some legs require adjustment upwards and others requireadjustment downwards, requiring many changes in direction of adjustment.Likewise, there is no need to disengage a third party torque input suchas a power drill, to change direction. When installing cabinetry havingmany legs for height adjustment, the speed and simplicity of adjustmentprovided by the tool and coupling of the present invention provides asubstantial contribution to the art.

A user holds the tool stationary relative to the leg, for example by arm53 of the tool with one hand, while turning the tool handle to adjustthe leg height with the other hand, or simply by handle 52 or anothertool coupled to tool 50 via socket 61. In use, as the driving member isused to drive the driven member, the arm of the tool does not rotateabout the longitudinal axis of the leg but may remain stationary.Further, the tool can engage the foot or coupling laterally fromessentially any angular direction relative to a longitudinal axis of thethreaded shaft of the leg. These features of the tool and foot provide asignificant advantage when installing and levelling cabinetry,especially in circumstances where access to one or more legs is limited.For example, with reference to FIGS. 27A and 27B which illustrate a planand a side view of a narrow cabinet installed in the corner of a room.Access to the rear left foot is available at a narrow radial position,access being limited by an adjacent wall and also obstructions under thecabinet, which in the illustrated example is plumbing fittings or pipework and a front leg. In such a limited space, adjustment by a prior arttool that scribes an arc about the foot is very difficult. For a tool asdescribed, adjustment of the rear foot is accomplished with the arm ofthe tool remaining stationary in the limited angular position shown andwith the tool continuously engaged with the foot.

In some embodiments the driven member or feature remains at a fixedheight relative to a floor surface or other surface supporting the legat least when driving the coupling to raise the object being supported.The tool axial position may therefore be referenced from the floorsurface for engagement with the coupling, to assist with engagementbetween the tool and foot.

As described above the leg may be used for height adjustment. Where aleg is used for sideways support, the longitudinal axis of the threadedshaft would be oriented horizontally. For example the present inventionmay be applied to a leg supporting a side of a cabinet or appliance froman adjacent wall. In this specification and claims, the term “height” isnot intended to be limited to use only in vertical orientation but anyorientation. Thus the term “height” in this specification and claimsshould be read broadly to mean “length” or “distance”.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred formsthereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from thescope of the invention.

1.-61. (canceled)
 62. A tool for releasable engagement with and foradjusting the height of an elongate height adjustable leg comprising adriven member and dependent component threadingly engaged to said drivenmember for supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure the toolcomprising: a driving member, and a torque input for applying torque tothe driving member, an arm, relative to which said driving member isrotationally mounted to be rotated by a torque input able to applytorque to the driving member, the arm being complementary to the leg toassist with alignment of the tool with the leg when engaging the tool tothe leg and to retain the driven member to the driving member at leastlaterally to the elongate direction to allow the driving member to drivethe driven member causing threaded movement between the driven memberand dependent component to adjust the height of the cabinet, applianceor structure, and wherein the driving member is a gear adapted toreleasably mesh with the driven member, from a plurality of radialdirections relative to the elongate direction.
 63. The tool as claimedin claim 62, wherein the tool is adapted to engage the driven memberlaterally from any angular direction relative to the elongate directionof the leg.
 64. The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein the torqueinput and the driving member each rotate about an axis lateral to theelongate direction of the leg when driving the driven member.
 65. Thetool as claimed in claim 64, wherein the torque input rotates on alateral axis that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the leg, sothat with the tool engaged with the coupling the torque input iselevated above a floor surface or other surface on which the leg is tobe positioned when supporting the cabinet, appliance or structure. 66.The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein the driving member is a pinion.67. The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein the torque input comprisesa handle coupled to the driving member for rotating the driving member.68. The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein the tool is adapted toremain in a stationary angular position relative to the leg when thedriving member drives the driven member or feature.
 69. The tool asclaimed in claim 62, wherein the tool is adapted to remain continuouslyengaged with the driven member when the driving member drives the drivenmember to threadingly move the driven member relative the dependentcomponent in the elongate direction of the leg in both directions ofrotation so that the direction of height adjustment of the heightadjustable leg can be reversed without removing the tool from the leg.70. The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein with the tool engaged withthe driven member the driving member is adapted to remain continuouslyengaged with the driven member for adjusting the height both up and downof the height adjustable leg.
 71. The tool as claimed in claim 62,wherein the tool is adapted to be releasably secured relative to the legin an direction parallel and lateral to the elongate direction when thedriving member is engaged to the driven member.
 72. (canceled) 73.(canceled)
 74. The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein the arm capturesor bears against a lateral facing surface of the leg to releasablyretain the tool to the leg in a direction lateral to the elongatedirection.
 75. The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein the toolcomprises two arms forming a jaw for capturing around at least part ofthe a leg to releasably retain the tool to the leg in a lateraldirection to releasably maintain engagement between the driving memberand the driven member.
 76. The tool as claimed in claim 75, wherein thejaw extends around a diameter of the leg by more than 180 degrees. 77.The tool as claimed in claim 62, wherein the tool comprises an elongatedirection facing bearing surface to interface with a correspondingelongate direction facing bearing surface on the leg so that contactbetween the tool and leg elongate direction facing bearing surfacesreleasably retains the tool to the driven member in an elongatedirection to releasably maintain engagement between the driving memberand the driven member.
 78. The tool as claimed in claim 77, wherein thetool comprises a flange for bearing against the driven member, theflange providing the elongate direction facing bearing surface of thetool. 79.-82. (canceled)
 83. The tool as claimed in claim 82, whereinthe elongate direction facing bearing surface is substantiallyperpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the leg when engaged with theleg.
 84. (canceled)
 85. (canceled)
 86. (canceled)
 87. The tool asclaimed in claim 62, wherein the tool comprises a first elongatedirection facing bearing surface and a second opposite elongatedirection facing bearing surface to interface with two correspondingelongate direction facing bearing surfaces of the leg to align the toolto the coupling in the elongate direction.
 88. The tool as claimed inclaim 87, wherein the first and second elongate direction facing bearingsurfaces of the tool form sides of a slot or channel in the tool forreceiving a flange of the leg or the driven member, sides of the slot orchannel adapted to bear against axial sides of the flange or the drivenmember to align the tool to the leg.
 89. The tool as claimed in claim88, wherein the first and second elongate direction facing bearingsurfaces each comprise a ramp surface at an opening of the slot toprovide converging surfaces extending into the slot to assist withaligning the tool to the leg.
 90. (canceled)
 91. (canceled) 92.(canceled)
 93. A cabinet, appliance or structure to be supported by afloor, said cabinet, appliance or structure comprising: a base carryinga plurality of threaded components with each a height adjustable foot isassociated, each one of said feet comprising: a driven member having athreaded region threadably engaged to a corresponding threadedcomponent, relative rotation between the driven member and the threadedcomponent moving the driven member axially relative to the threadedcomponent for height adjustment, where each of the feet is adapted toreleasably maintain engagement with a tool comprising a driving memberto allow the driving member to drive the driven member to rotate thedriven member relative the threaded component to move the driven memberaxially relative to the threaded component, and wherein the drivenmember is a gear adapted to releasably mesh with the driving member ofthe tool.
 94. A tool for driving each of said height adjustable feet ofthe cabinet, appliance or structure of claim 93, the tool able to reacheach of said feet and become associated therewith, the tool comprising adriving member and a torque input for applying torque to the drivingmember, the tool adapted to releasably maintain engagement with saidheight adjustable foot to allow the driving member to drive the drivenmember to adjust the height of the cabinet, appliance or structure,wherein the driving member is a gear adapted to releasably mesh with thedriven member.
 95. A tool as claimed in claim 94, wherein the tool isadapted to displace relative the floor to reach each of said feet toengage with said driven member and drive said driven member withoutneeding to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the foot.
 96. A tool asclaimed in claim 94, wherein the tool is adapted to slide along thefloor to reach and be aligned with each of said feet to engage with saiddriven member and drive said driven member without needing to sliderelative the floor or rotate about a longitudinal axis of the foot.